United 2 Marseille 1

United eased into the last eight of the Champions League with a narrow win over Marseille in a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford.

There were a couple of surprise sin the United starting eleven. Vidic, despite talk to the contrary, couldn`t shake off the knock received against Arsenal, Brown took his place alongside Smalling at the heart of the defence. In midfield there were recalls for the experienced duo of Scholes and Giggs whilst Nani, as forecast, returned form injury far earlier than expected. Up front, Hernandez got the nod ahead of Berbatov to partner Rooney whilst Valencia, who made his comeback from injury recently, had to settle for a place on the bench alongside Berbatov who was seeking to end an eighteen game European drought.

Before the game started a minutes silence was immaculately observed for all those who have been affected by the terrible events in Japan.

United got off to a great start taking the lead early on when Rooney engineered some room in the Marseille box and then providing a great ball for Hernandez to score from close range, immediate vindication for Sir Alex for opting for Javier over Berbatov?

United 1 Marseille 0 (Hernandez - 5 minutes)

Almost straight after the goal, Marseille had a chance to equalize when a flick from Ayew set Gignac free, behind the United defence, but he never even troubled Van der Sar putting his lob well over the bar.

Rooney continued his good start to the game by finding Smalling with a good pass but Smalling couldn`t quite control the ball and the chance was gone. Things got a bit spicy when Smalling and Gignac clashed before Evra let Gonzalez know he was there by catching him with a wild challenge.

Hernandez received the first caution of the evening as the referee, the superbly named Carlos Velasco Carballo, sort to keep thing on an even keel. With twenty minutes gone United were looking smooth with only that Gignac chance ringing any alarm bells.

United were almost gifted a second goal when the Marseille keeper, Mandanda, bizarrely cleared the ball to Nani but the resulting move broke down when Rooney`s cut-back didn`t find anyone.

Marseille then had a wonderful chance to get level but Diawara somehow contrived to head Taiwo`s cross wide from a great position six yards out. Nine minutes before half time, O`Shea limped off with an injury to be replaced by Rafael.

As half time approached, Marseille survived a penalty appeal when Giggs burst into the box and passed to Hernandez who looked to be clipped by Taiwo. Smalling then headed a Giggs corner over and any chance of extending the lead was curtailed by the referee blowing for half time.

Half Time - United 1 Marseille 0

Marseille had the first decent chance of the half but Van der Sar did well to save at Gignac`s feet after a good ball in from Ayew. Marseille had started the half well and were looking dangerous.

United responded with Rooney once again prominent but his smart clip over the defence couldn`t quite reach Hernadez. Seconds later Rooney, as inventive as ever, darted into the box and just a sit looked as if he was going to unleash a powerful shot he fed the ball to Hernandez but his cut-back was cut out.

Remy went past Evra as if he wasn`t there but a poor cross evaded all his colleagues. Almost immediately Sir Alex replaced Nani with Valencia. Marseille pressed forward and United old-boy, Heinze, went close with a header.

Rafael, who had replaced O`Shea, pulled up with an injury and his twin brother, Fabio, replaced him.

Any thoughts that Marseille could get that crucial away goal to trouble United were diminished when United scored a second and once again it was Hernandez who struck. The goal coming after a move involving Valencia and Giggs saw Hernandez sweep the ball home.

The goal coming after Marseille, once again, had troubled United who had Van der Sar to thank for saving smartly from Cheyrou.

United 2 Marseille 0 (Hernandez - 75 minutes)

Two goals up, United were looking far more relaxed now whilst Marseille looked a spent force.

But an own goal from Brown was to give the French side hope. The goal coming moments after Cheyrou had almost reduced the arrears. Brown, conceding the own goal, headed home Gonzalez cross under pressure from Heinze.

United 2 Marseille 1 (Brown og - 83 minutes)

Buoyed by the goal Marseille went looking for a second whilst United looked nervous but United were to hang on and reach the last eight.

Comments

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"The guy weighs less than 10 stone (136lb to be precise). How in the hell is he meant to cope with a team like Stoke having a kick at him? I reckon Fergie must be losing the plot quite rapidly, as I really can't see sopmeone so tiny making an impact in the PL. Actually, I take that back. I'm sure he'll make an impact in pitches up and down the land as he constantly gets sent flying..."
Read more: http://www.manchesterunited.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=194967#ixzz1Gi28QHDp

So nice to see I'm making an impression on you Tuscan - bit like chimichanga's elbows left an impression on Heinze tonight eh? P.S. You're not my first internet stalker, but it's still flattering to know I've got admirers. P.P.S weren't your lot good tonight? LOL!

Good performance against Marseille and I want to be the first to point out that Carrick actually played some what well, put on pressure on the opposition, closed down space, couple of tackles, got forward and actually played a few forward balls as well. Rooney was brilliant on the ball with his dribbling and passing but just didn't want to have a shot (I think he's too nervous because of the slaughtering the media gave him at the World Cup and since then, when in actual fact, it was the media hyping him up and put him on that high pedestal, fickle bunch). Valencia is still looking incredibly confident with him doing really well with his contribution towards the second goal, his crossing is still gradually coming back though. Nani looked a little shook up and at loss due to the strength of power of Taiwo. I think the underperformers of the night were Brown and Evra. Evra made silly challenges and was lucky to get out without a card. Brown was typical Brown, average CB who's good for covering as long as his got that defensive leader with him like Vidic or Ferdinand. He didn't and when defending set pieces he never really marked anyone (at one point he was actually standing behind Smalling whilst Smalling marked the opposition!), I think it was his job on the night to step up and take control which he failed at. Good, tense game of football with a very good ref.

Brilliant? Or a bit sad? You either have a life or you sit around in front of your computer trawling through ancient posts looking for someone's sarcastic remarks from months ago. Fair dues, the guy has done well for you. But Tuscan, you need to get out more.

fcb tuscan has rarely been posting on this site for a while. I just found it incredibly funny myself, a blast from the past wswilly was talking about how it was the end for us and how you were going to finish above us pmsl :P